Exercizing in a pool is perfect for Ataxians

Comment

Comment by Iain Stevenson on October 21, 2010 at 10:19am

I guess aqua therapy means 'theraputic excersise in water'? Without a doubt in my experience excersising in water is as you say Linda easier to do than on dry ground.

I remember quite a few years ago when I used to take physically disabled people to a 'Hydrotherapy' swimming pool. Here you can swim,walk,move your body or do any other excersice you wish and feel very comfortable as the water is set to a comfortable higher temprature than the average pool.

Comment by Linda Cooper on October 21, 2010 at 9:57am

I got to go to group aqua therapy with a lady trained in aquatic therapy and with my physiotherapist. It was wonderful! It was so much easier to move in the water and we all felt better for hours afterward. The pool keeps the water warm and you can't fall and hurt yourself so you are more willing to move certain ways,and someone was there to help keep your balance. I absolutely credit the pool program with a lot of my improvement. (I have ataxia problems post stroke) Another feature of water is the pressure of the water itself actually acts kind of as a support to your body.

I have gone to a warmer local public pool since with my husband and I am not thrilled with the public features but it is worth it to me because I feel so much better once I am in the water.

Ian .. most of our pools have a wheel chair access and you can be taken by chair into the water so you avoid the slippery floors. I use a walker and it just went with me through the shower and to the water edge where there are steps and railings

Comment by Carol Gow on October 20, 2010 at 3:15pm

Hello
I was asked by my occupational therapist if I would consider swimming. I said I would rather not. I can swim, I belonged to a swimming club where I was taught the various strokes as well as diving. I have swum for my school in swimming galas. The problem is I have never liked swimming, either in the sea or at a swimming pool. I don't know what it is I just don't like it. My therapist said there was no point in going if I didn't enjoy it. I go horse-riding instead.
Regards
Carol

Comment by Iain Stevenson on October 20, 2010 at 4:14am

I also have the fear of being able to get in and out of the pool. It's not just this but also having to firstly get from the reception to the changing rooms. The biggest fear for me is the posibility of slipping on the wet floor.

I used to love going for a sauna and in between doing a few lengths in the pool. I find it a great way to relax the muscles and feel very refreshed afterwards. I would now most definately need someone with me. Your right John when you say that you can move much easier while in water. My local swimming pool do have a hoist where I could sit on it and be safely placed into the water. All I would need now is to find sombody who would be willing to assist me to the complex.

Good subject John. My last job was with the YMCA driving a minibus for after school care children.